How Elon Musk’s Team Accessed the US Treasury’s $6 Trillion Payment System Amid Spending Dispute

This access, approved by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, comes after the removal of David A. Lebryk, a longtime career official at the Treasury, who had opposed granting Musk's team entry into these crucial systems.

The recent move granting access to the U.S. Treasury's sensitive payment systems to a team led by Silicon Valley executive Tom Krause, under the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) assembled by Elon Musk, has sparked significant controversy.

This access, approved by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, comes after the removal of David A. Lebryk, a longtime career official at the Treasury, who had opposed granting Musk's team entry into these crucial systems.

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Lebryk, who had worked at the Treasury for decades and previously served as the acting Treasury Secretary, had resisted requests from Trump's appointees to allow political operatives from Musk's camp into the department’s payment functions. His departure, coinciding with the approval of Musk's team gaining access, has raised alarms about potential political interference in the Treasury’s payment operations, which handle over $6 trillion annually, including Social Security benefits, tax refunds, and federal employee salaries.

Critics, especially Democrats, have raised concerns that this move could jeopardize the stability and reliability of these vital payment systems. Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Elizabeth Warren have both voiced fears that such political involvement could endanger the proper functioning of the Treasury, with potential catastrophic consequences for the economy and millions of Americans who rely on these payments. Former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew also echoed these concerns, warning of the risks to global markets and the U.S. economy if these critical systems are tampered with or disrupted.

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While the move has raised alarms among those worried about political interference, Musk’s associates argue that their involvement will bring efficiency to the Treasury's operations. However, the debate continues over the potential long-term impact of placing such sensitive and vital government functions under the control of private tech figures with political ties.

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